Refillable Soft Food Container

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a soft food container may be refillable with an interchangeable nozzle system. A base  104  may have a resealable opening  142  to receive a soft food product. A nozzle opening  302  may receive a food nozzle. A pressure release nozzle  352  may disperse the soft food product. A pliable shell may connect the base  104  to the nozzle opening  302.

BACKGROUND

Food containers may take many different forms. Tupperware® may be usedto store food left over from an earlier meal. Food may come wrapped in aplastic sheets that self-seal. Styrofoam® and cardboard containers maybe used for fast food. Aluminum foil may allow food to be warmed in aconsistent manner. Glass jars may lengthen the storage period for suchfood products.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that is further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Embodiments discussed below relate to a refillable soft food containerwith an interchangeable nozzle system. A base may have a resealableopening to receive a soft food product. A nozzle opening may receive afood nozzle. A pressure release nozzle may disperse the soft foodproduct. A pliable shell may connect the base to the nozzle opening.

DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionis set forth and will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understandingthat these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, implementationswill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 a-c illustrate, in diagrams, one embodiment of a soft foodcontainer.

FIGS. 2 a-d illustrate, in diagrams, one embodiment of a base of thesoft food container.

FIGS. 3 a-b illustrate, in diagrams, one embodiment of a pliable durablefood containment body.

FIGS. 4 a-b illustrate, in diagrams, one embodiment of a nipple foodnozzle.

FIGS. 5 a-c illustrate, in diagrams, one embodiment of a dispenser foodnozzle.

FIGS. 6 a-d illustrate, in diagrams, one embodiment of a top loadingsoft food container.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a method ofstoring soft food in a refillable soft food container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are discussed in detail below. While specificimplementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is donefor illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant artwill recognize that other components and configurations may be usedwithout parting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter of thisdisclosure. The implementations may be a method, a pliable durable foodcontainment body, or a soft food container.

Soft food products, such as baby food, applesauce, or mashed potatoes,may be easily stored in a pliable tube for easy use and portability. Thesoft food product may be squeezed through a nozzle of the tube directlyinto the mouth of the eater. Generally, the pliable tube may bediscarded after the food has been consumed. By making a soft foodcontainer refillable, the soft food container may be reused, or used bypeople who make their own soft food product. Additionally, the soft foodcontainer may have an interchangeable nozzle to allow the soft foodcontainer to be customized to the user, such as having a pressurerelease nozzle for dispersing the soft food product to infants. Apressure release nozzle disperses soft food product when pressure isapplied to the sides of the nozzle. The pressure release nozzle mayallow a user to avoid an accidental dispersal of soft food.

Thus, in one embodiment, a soft food container may be refillable with aninterchangeable nozzle system. A base may have a resealable opening toreceive a soft food product. A nozzle opening may receive a food nozzle.A pressure release nozzle may disperse the soft food product. A pliableshell may connect the base to the nozzle opening.

FIG. 1 a illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a front view 100of a soft food container. The soft food container may have a pliableshell 102 atop a base 104 to store a soft food product. The pliableshell 102 may be thermally conductive to allow the soft food product tobe easily heated or cooled. The pliable shell may be made of anappliance safe material. An appliance safe material is a material thatdoes not interact in a harmful manner with an appliance, such as amicrowave, freezer, dishwasher, or other household appliances. The base104 may allow the soft food container to stand upright when the softfood container is not in use.

A food nozzle 106 may protrude from a neck 108 in the pliable shell 102.The food nozzle 106 may disperse the soft food product. The food nozzle106 may be a pressure release nozzle, a nozzle that disperses food whenpressure is applied to the sides of the nozzle. The food nozzle 106 mayhave a cap 110 to prevent the soft food product from leaking. Thepliable shell 102 may be translucent or have a translucent area 112 todisplay the soft food product to the consumer. The pliable shell 102 mayhave a writeable label area 114 to allow a consumer to label the softfood product contained in the soft food container 100.

FIG. 1 b illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a side view 120 ofthe soft food container. The pliable shell 102 may be created byconnecting a near thermally conductive sheet 122 to an oppositethermally conductive sheet 124 on opposing ends. Thus, the soft foodcontainer may be stored flat when empty.

FIG. 1 c illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a loading position140 for the soft food container. The cap 110 may be placed on the foodnozzle to prevent spillage. The soft food container may be inverted withthe base 104 facing up. A resealable opening 142 in the base 104 may beopen to receive soft food product. A user may fill the soft foodcontainer with soft food product through the resealable opening 142.Once the soft food container is full, the user may reseal the resealableopening 142.

FIG. 2 a illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a base 104 of thesoft food container with a touch resealable opening 200. The base 104may have an edge 202 along a near side of the resealable opening 142.The base 104 may have a flap 204 along an opposite side of theresealable opening that bonds with the edge 202 to seal the resealableopening 142. The flap 204 may bond with the edge 202 by a resealableadhesive present on the flap 204. Alternately, the surface of the flap204 may be covered by shaped dimples that protect adhesive pockets fromthe surface of the edge 202. By pressing the flap 204, the user mayflatten the dimples, bringing the adhesive into contact with the surfaceof the edge 202.

FIG. 2 b illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a base 104 of thesoft food container with a two track resealable opening 220. The base104 may have a near interlocking track 222 on a near side of the twotrack resealable opening 220. The base 104 may have an oppositeinterlocking track 224 on an opposite side of the two track resealableopening 220. A user may apply a finger pressure to connect the nearinterlocking track 222 to the opposite interlocking track 224.Alternately, a runner 226 may join the near interlocking track 222 tothe opposite interlocking track 224. A tongue 228 may pull the runner226 along the near interlocking track 222 and the opposite interlockingtrack 224.

The resealable opening 142 may be off center on the base 104 toreinforce the base 104 under the center of gravity created by the softfood. FIG. 2 c illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a base 104of the soft food container with a front off-center resealable opening240. The near interlocking track 222 and the opposite interlocking track224 may be near the front 242 of the soft food container and away fromthe rear 244 of the soft food container.

Alternately, FIG. 2 d illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of abase 104 of the soft food container with a rear off-center resealableopening 260. The near interlocking track 222 and the oppositeinterlocking track 224 may be near the rear 244 of the soft foodcontainer and away from the front 242 of the soft food container.

The soft food container may have interchangeable nozzles to allowcustomization of the soft food container. FIG. 3 a illustrates, in adiagram, one embodiment of a front view 300 of a pliable durable foodcontainment body. A pliable durable food containment body is a foodcontainment body that may be easily constricted to force the foodthrough the nozzle, while still durable enough to prevent punctures ordamage. A pliable durable food containment body may forgo any exteriorprotection, such as a hardened exterior container. The neck 108 may havea nozzle opening 302 for receiving a food nozzle, such as a pressurerelease nozzle. The pliable shell 102 may connect the base 104 to thenozzle opening 302.

FIG. 3 b illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of the insertion 350of a pressure release nozzle 352 into the pliable durable foodcontainment body. The soft food container may be inverted with the base104 facing up. The base 104 may have a resealable opening 142 to receivea soft food product. The resealable opening 142 in the base 104 may beopen to receive the pressure release nozzle 352. A user may insert thepressure release nozzle 352 into the nozzle opening 302. A user may capthe pressure release nozzle 352 to prevent leakage during filing. Oncethe soft food container is full, the user may reseal the resealableopening 142.

FIG. 4 a illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a side view 400 ofa nipple food nozzle. The nipple food nozzle may have a trunk 402 thatlodges in the nozzle opening 302. A lip 404 may keep the nipple foodnozzle from falling back into the pliable durable food containment body.The nipple food nozzle may be made of a soft material, such as softplastic, to allow the lip 404 to be distorted for insertion into thenozzle opening 302. An anchor 406 may keep the nipple food nozzle fromfalling out of the pliable durable food containment body. A nipple 408may have a hole 410 for dispersing the soft food product. The hole 410may be opened by applying pressure to the sides of the nipple 408. FIG.4 b illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a top view 450 of thenipple food nozzle.

FIGS. 5 a illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a side view 500of a dispenser food nozzle. The dispenser food nozzle may have a trunk402 that lodges in the nozzle opening 302. A lip 404 may keep thedispenser food nozzle from falling back into the pliable durable foodcontainment body. The dispenser food nozzle may be made of a softmaterial, such as soft plastic, to allow the lip 404 to be distorted forinsertion into the nozzle opening 302. An anchor 406 may keep thedispenser food nozzle from falling out of the pliable durable foodcontainment body. A user may control dispersal of the soft food productby applying pressure to the sides of a dispenser 502.

FIG. 5 b illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a top view 520 ofa slit dispenser food nozzle. The slit 522 may be opened by applyingpressure to the sides of the dispenser 502, pulling the sides of theslit 522 apart. FIG. 5 c illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of atop view 520 of a two-hole dispenser food nozzle. Each hole 542 may beopened by applying pressure to the sides of the dispenser 502, wideningthe holes 542.

A soft food container may be top loading. FIG. 6 a illustrates, in adiagram, one embodiment of a top loading pliable durable foodcontainment body 600. The top loading pliable durable food containmentbody 600 may have a wide-mouth nozzle opening 602 to allow soft food tobe inserted into the pliable shell 102. The wide mouth nozzle opening602 may have striations to allow for screw top nozzle to attach. The toploading pliable durable food containment body 600 may have a solid base604 to prevent blowouts.

FIG. 6 b illustrates, in a diagram, one embodiment of a screw top nozzle620. The screw top nozzle 620 may have a dispenser 502 atop a screw top622. The screw top 622 may allow the dispenser 502 to be screwed ontothe wide mouth nozzle opening 602. A user may control dispersal of thesoft food product by applying pressure to the sides of a dispenser 502.

Alternately, the top loading pliable durable food containment body 600may be used with an insertable nozzle. FIG. 6 c illustrates, in adiagram, one embodiment of an insertable nozzle 640. The insertablenozzle 640 may have a trunk 402 that lodges in the wide mouth nozzleopening 602. A lip 404 may keep the insertable nozzle 640 from fallingback into the pliable durable food containment body. A probe 642 mayfacilitate inserting the insertable nozzle 640 into the pliable durablefood containment body while keeping the insertable nozzle 640 fromdislodging. The insertable nozzle 640 may be made of a soft material,such as soft plastic or rubber, to allow the lip 404 and probe 642 to bedistorted for insertion into the nozzle opening 302. A user may controldispersal of the soft food product by applying pressure to the sides ofa dispenser 502.

A top-loading stopper may replace the nozzle during freezing or heatingto prevent the accidental dispersal of food. FIG. 6 d illustrates, in adiagram, one embodiment of a top-loading stopper 660. The top-loadingstopper 660 may have a trunk 402 that lodges in the wide mouth nozzleopening 602. A lip 404 may keep the top-loading stopper 660 from fallingback into the pliable durable food containment body. A plug 662 mayfacilitate inserting the top-loading stopper 660 into the pliabledurable food containment body while keeping the top-loading stopper 660from dislodging.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in a flowchart, one embodiment of a method 700 ofstoring soft food in a refillable soft food container. The pliabledurable food containment body may receive in a nozzle opening 302 apressure release nozzle 352 inserted through a resealable opening 142(Block 702). The soft food container may receive a soft food productthrough the resealable opening 142 in a base 104 of the pliable durablefood containment body (Block 704). The soft food container may seal theresealable opening 142 (Block 706). The soft food container may store asoft food product in the pliable durable food containment body (Block708). The soft food container may display the soft food product througha translucent area 112 of the pliable durable food containment body(Block 710). The soft food container may identify the soft food productwith a writeable label area 114 on the pliable durable food containmentbody (Block 712). The soft food container may disperse the soft foodproduct through a pressure release nozzle (Block 714). The soft foodcontainer may disperse the soft food product through a pressure releaseslit in the pressure release nozzle or through at least two pressurerelease holes in the pressure release nozzle.

Although the above description may contain specific details, they do notlimit the claims in any way. Other configurations of the describedembodiments are part of the scope of the disclosure. For example, theprinciples of the disclosure may be applied to each individual userwhere each user may individually deploy such a system. This enables eachuser to utilize the benefits of the disclosure even if any one of alarge number of possible applications do not use the functionalitydescribed herein. Implementations are not necessarily in one system usedby all users. Accordingly, the appended claims and their legalequivalents should only define the invention, rather than any specificexamples given.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A pliable durable food containment body comprising: abase having a resealable opening to receive a soft food product; anozzle opening for receiving a food nozzle; and a pliable shellconnecting the base to the nozzle opening.
 9. The pliable durable foodcontainment body of claim 8, further comprising: a near interlockingtrack on a near side of the resealable opening; and an oppositeinterlocking track on an opposite side of the resealable opening. 10.The pliable durable food containment body of claim 9, furthercomprising: a runner to join the near interlocking track to the oppositeinterlocking track.
 11. The pliable durable food containment body ofclaim 10, further comprising: a tongue to pull the runner along the nearinterlocking track and the opposite interlocking track.
 12. The pliabledurable food containment body of claim 8, further comprising: a edgealong a near side of the resealable opening; and a flap along anopposite side of the resealable opening that bonds with the edge to sealthe resealable opening.
 13. The pliable durable food containment body ofclaim 8, wherein the resealable opening is off center on the base. 14.The pliable durable food containment body of claim 8, furthercomprising: a writeable label area on the pliable shell.
 15. The pliabledurable food containment body of claim 8, wherein the pliable shell hasa translucent area to display the soft food product.
 16. The pliabledurable food containment body of claim 8, wherein the pliable shell ismade of appliance safe material.
 17. The pliable durable foodcontainment body of claim 8, wherein the pliable shell has a nearthermally conductive sheet connected on opposing ends to an oppositethermally conductive sheet.
 18. A soft food container, comprising: apliable durable food containment body having a base with a resealableopening to receive a soft food product; a pressure release nozzle todisperse the soft food product.
 19. The soft food container of claim 18,wherein the pressure release nozzle has a pressure release slit.
 20. Thesoft food container of claim 18, wherein the pressure release nozzle hasat least two pressure release holes.
 21. A food storage method,comprising: receiving a soft food product in a resealable opening of abase; receiving a food nozzle in a nozzle opening; and connecting thebase to the nozzle opening with a pliable shell.
 22. The food storagemethod of claim 21, further comprising: sealing the resealable openingwith a near interlocking track on a near side of the resealable openingand an opposite interlocking track on an opposite side of the resealableopening.
 23. The food storage method of claim 22, further comprising:joining the near interlocking track to the opposite interlocking trackwith a runner.
 24. The food storage method of claim 23, furthercomprising: pulling the runner with a tongue along the near interlockingtrack and the opposite interlocking track.
 25. The food storage methodof claim 21, wherein the resealable opening is off center on the base.26. The food storage method of claim 21, further comprising: presentinga writeable label area on the pliable shell.
 27. The food storage methodof claim 21, further comprising: displaying the soft food product usinga translucent area on the pliable shell.